Application programming interface
An application programming interface (API) is a set of functions, procedures, methods or classes used by computer programs to request services from the operating system, software libraries or any other service providers running on the computer.[1] A computer programmer uses the API to make computer applications.
An API works by making a structure for computers should interact with each other, including rules for interactions and methods the computers can use to quickly send data to each other.[2] Because an API's goal is to connect computers with other computers, they are different from a user interface, which has the goal of connecting human users with computers.
Main types of web APIs:[3]
- Open APIs - available to the public; they can be accessed by any external users.
- Partner APIs - available to strategic business partners; they are exposed to a public API developer portal.
- Internal APIs - available to a company's internal development teams; they are exposed to a private API developer portal.
- Composite APIs - are a sequence of tasks bundled into a single API call.
Types of API include web services API like the Twitter API, which allows programs to use the API to receive updates on tweets.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "What is an API (Application Programming Interface)?". Data Basecamp. 2022-07-23. Archived from the original on 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
- ↑ Chen, Michael (2025-02-24). "What Is an API (Application Programming Interface)?". Oracle. Archived from the original on 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
- ↑ Defranchi, Lydia (2024-03-28). "Different types of APIs explained: styles, protocols, audiences + real-life examples". Axway Software. Archived from the original on 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
